1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
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Recent Examples of self-ruling
While Guo reiterated China’s position on sensitive topics such as Taiwan – a self-ruling island democracy that Beijing claims as its own territory – his statement was otherwise cautiously neutral, lacking the vitriol that often characterizes Chinese responses to US policy.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The dispute began when Takaichi, who was elected last month, told lawmakers that a hypothetical Chinese attack on self-ruling Taiwan, which at its closest point is about 70 miles from Japanese territory, could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response from Tokyo.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The dispute began when Takaichi, who was elected last month, told lawmakers that a hypothetical Chinese attack on self-ruling Taiwan, which at its closest point is about 70 miles from Japanese territory, could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response from Tokyo.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
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This is the time to defend democratic government, the rule of law, and the freedoms generations fought to secure.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
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An opening gala was held on Monday, during which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the West’s democratic civilization is under threat from a destructive ideology that has infiltrated every country in Western Europe and the United States.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Compute, sensors, steering, braking, and charging systems are all integrated into a unified autonomy stack rather than operating as independent subsystems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
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Camera Cinemas — the independent outfit led by Jack NyBlom, Jim Zuur and Dennis Skaggs — came in, renovated and added four auditoriums and reopened in July 2002 with a combo of first-run blockbusters and independent movies.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In fully autonomous evaluations, the system completes extended locomotion and manipulation behaviors without teleoperation or resets.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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The Slow, Careful Path Fully autonomous driving remains the most complex and sensitive application of AI in cars.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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For sovereign wealth funds and national energy companies, the long-term play is not only selling molecules to India.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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While acknowledging Palestinian self-rule in Areas A and B, Oren said a fully sovereign Palestinian state is impossible.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The 25-year-old Chiefs receiver appears in a separate photo posted to the same Instagram account.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
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While donated blood is called whole blood, stewards of the blood supply will split and spin blood into separate bags with just red blood cells or with the plasma.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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